John Bruton
Ceist:17 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education her views on the continuation of State subsidisation of fee paying education; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - State Subsidisation of Fee Paying Education.
Frank Crowley
Ceist:35 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Education her views on the continuation of State subsidisation of fee paying education; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Michael Finucane
Ceist:45 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Education her views on the continuation of State subsidisation of fee paying education; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Ivan Yates
Ceist:115 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education her views on the continuation of State subsidisation of fee paying education; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:253 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education if she will give details of the State funding provided to fee-charging second level schools in 1992; and if she will make a policy statement regarding the provision of funds to such schools.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 35, 45, 115 and 253 together. My views are reflected in the undertaking in the Green Paper on Education reform that discussions will be held with the authorities of fee-paying schools with a view to determining whether or not it would be appropriate for them to join the non fee-paying sector. In these discussions, regard will be had to whether these schools are fulfilling an educational requirement in their own specific catchment areas, and whether or not this could improve the availability of second-level places in their area.
In the case of those schools which continue to charge fees, discussions will be held with their authorities on the extent to which they would be in a position to introduce reforms that I consider desirable such as the establishment of Boards of Management, community use of buildings, non-selective admission policy and full financial reporting.
State funding to fee-charging schools in 1992 amounted to about £25 million, of which about £23 million was in teachers salaries. The remaining £2 million covers items such as minor equipment grants, grants for orchestras etc.